Laser system with wavelength converter

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a diode laser (10) providing radiation in a first wavelength interval, a radiation conversion unit (12) having an input and an output, the radiation converter configured to receive the radiation in the first wavelength interval from the diode laser at the input, the radiation conversion unit configured to convert the radiation in the first wavelength interval to radiation in a second wavelength interval and the output configured to output the converted radiation, the second wavelength interval having one end point outside the first wavelength interval. Further, the invention relates to a method of optically pumping a target laser (14) in a laser system, the laser system comprising a laser source providing radiation at a first frequency, the laser source being optically connected to an input of a frequency converter, the frequency converter configured to convert the radiation at the first frequency to a second, different frequency, the target laser arranged in optical communication with an output of the frequency converter, the method comprising the steps of emitting radiation from the laser source, receiving the radiation at the frequency converter, converting the radiation from the first frequency to the second frequency in the frequency converter, and providing the radiation at the second frequency at the target laser so that the target laser is optically pumped.

Description

[0001]The present invention relates to applications of frequency converted diode laser systems. In particular the present invention relates to high power tunable, low-noise, frequency converted diode laser systems. The invention further relates to different applications, including but not limited to, such as use of a frequency converted diode laser system for optical pumping of gain medium in solid state laser oscillators and amplifiers, spectroscopy applications and medical applications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Diode lasers output radiation at one frequency or frequency interval, further the diode laser may emit radiation at a further frequency or frequency interval, but that frequency, frequencies or frequency interval may not be the desired frequency interval. Therefore there is a need for providing a system that allow the emitted radiation to be transformed to the desired frequency or frequency interval. The term frequency and wavelength may be interchanged throughout th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a method to reduce the noise of a diode laser in a laser system by controlling the injection current. This allows for the optimization of the intensity noise properties of the laser. The method involves emitting radiation from a laser source, receiving it at a frequency converter, and converting it to a different frequency. The converted radiation is then provided to the target laser for optical pumping. By controlling the injection current, the intensity and noise properties of the diode laser are reduced. Overall, the patent text describes a way to improve the efficiency and performance of laser systems by minimizing noise.

Problems solved by technology

Intensity noise in a laser system occurs due to variations in the lasers effect, i.e. the amount of light emitted.

Near these mode-hops the laser will be more unstable and therefor more noisy.

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